The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-21
SWORDSMEN OF INDIA.
Their Skill in Handling Weapons-Some
Wonderful Feats Described.

Their Skill in Handling Weapons-Some
Wonderful Feats Described.
English Magazine.
The high-class damascened and exquisltely
tempered blades, and curved cimetars of extra
finished durability came to India with those
mighty conquerors of the East the Moham-
medans. whose descendants under the victorious
and peace promoting English rule can no longer
follow the craft, disarming being the prevailing
regime The comparatively few sword blades of
sterling quality nowadays are only 20 be found
looms in their armories. Before the great mutiny
every native, even mental servants, carried a
sword; Ethe peasant at his pillow wore the
weapon fof defense; SO did the harmless wan
derer in search of employ. and the black
soldier on short leave It was national ap-
peudage due to the unsettled state of popular
feelings and lawess inclinations The excited
Moslem printed and shouted the great text of
the false prophet, THE Sword is the Key of
Heaven and He'll" while the quiet Hindoo fire.
1uented midnight meetings and brought his teg-
bar, or village sabre to a razor edge. The quiet
dweller in England will scarcely believe the
prodigies performed in sword cutting by these
more than shillirgs. The Englishman
excel in everything if he chooses to master the
object. Not less than half dozen, perhaps
even a Dozen have attained such workmanship
with the Oriental weapon the acknowl-
edged champions. the title of master of :he
sword" (Sahb tulwarl being bestowed on them
by universal consent
[ had shot numerous wild beasts when I was
told by expert that my hunting education
was very deficient, as could not handle n CHM
eter to stop my game. was told to exercise
continually pillar OF soft clay, and thus
quire the drawing cut at the proper part of the
blaze; then pillar loosely stuffed with cot
ton then on a newyk killed wildcat or jackal
kneaded previous to the practice by the feet of
heavy man till the carcass became loose, soft
mass; then on a great pond carp, fish clad with
heavy horny scales, like elastic mall considered
trial at this experiment resulted in a triple frac-
ture of the good blade. sundry scales flying in
artistic tour de force at paper
cones placed on table, and muslin
thrown up to height-all manner of strange
and difficult tasks which, being only ornamental.
/ eventually forsook for the useful and
easy decapitation of fierce quadrupeds, beginning
with wounded wild hog of full growth and on
essaying the slipping stroke behind the ear,
sweeping off the head nearly, that important
part dropping between the fore feet. Not long
before had seen bold young Ghoorka prince
ling dismount from his elephant leaving it
standing to await his return, and follow on foot,
alone, immense boar he had wounded with
his rife. On nearing the powerful brute. it
champed its foamy tusks to charge. He drew
his kookree, or nepaulse sword. and as it sprang
him, the blade was buried across piggys back,
all but severing him in two parts.
Perhaps readers will not credit my statement
Of village peasants. with sword and shield attack
ing and slashing a ull-grown tiger. when one of
these powerful animals has strayed from the
forest into their fields. Yeti have often known
such encounters. man or two always killed and
several wounded, the tigers skin spoiled too by
the long, deep cuts of their teghars. saw a
champion swordsman, native soldier, who went
into the rose bushes alone with other weapon
shield the shoulder. His cuts were
mastery; but the bold man was soon
struck down and severely mauled A crowd
came to the rescue and shot the beast;
the hero recovered. 1.-THE manly weapon" is it's
designation In their party fights each size
would swear that other deadly arm should be
used l accordingly witnessed OF these
combats. Swordsmen, shield arm, in twos
and threes came running to the scene of quarrel
a cows trespass It WAS an exciting event.
Clansnen were continually arriving and every
man selected his foe. It grand sword play.
The head. legs aud arms seemed to be the chief
points of attack. Being British subject, pass
ing through an independent state, was obliged
to gallop off fast my horse could 60 at the
commencement of this battle
At the same time and place. near my camp,
two brothers fought duel about land. One
was killed, the other well slashed. In two
three days passed by battle royal; the King
of Oudhs troops were besieging some refractory
landowners who refused to pay rents. Heavy
cannon were booming around and musketry
cracking; the village swordsrnen and feudal
retainers. under cover of night. made many q
daring sally, and left the print of their tegha-s
Moslem limbs l saw blood stained bodies
rude cots being carried away to their homes
The unequal struggle had already lasted three
Gays. That tough and stubborn peasantry could
boast that in long years they had never
been defeated-no. not even by regular troops
Among some military trophies / once saw
very rude, rusty ALPHABETICALLY worth a shilling
which had clearly decapitated a recruit.
severing coat collar, brass buckle, and caste
necket of hard enamel beads. The nimble vii
iage rebel had sprung on the Sepoy from
bush while trimming his flint-lock after miss
fire. This and ali the low-proed teghers and
tulwars of very soft metal, capable of being
bent and Strengthened across the blade, while
the arch or cutting portion, with razor edge, of
fers immense resistance in the hands of
pert who, behind his shield, can watch and
measure his opportunity; only the straight
thrust of British bayonets or dragon blades can
reach them.
when we enter India. Hard steel of fine temper
and high workmanship used to be common until
Two Sikh wars and the great mutny abolished
the demand for such deadly wares. The skilled
Mohammedan craftsman had to emigrate for a
livelihood or too often dwlndled into black
smith of harmless occupation. l remember in
the good old times OF the East India company.
itinerant sword peddlers, Persians and Afghans
of great stature and big turbans.
"Do You want any swordsl"
'Yes, but where are theyi"
Here and the vendors hands were lifted to
his head cloth, where they CROPPED awhile;
out sprang three or four shining steel snakes.
elastic blades, unhanded la mode, twenty
pounds to fifty pounds each in value.
sometimes more. Then the dealer put them
through various severe tests to satisfy his
toner. packing them away again III their hiding
place should there be no sale, and going on the
road. But there were many shapes and sizes,
and sorts of cimetars of great price. harder and
less flexible, both plain and damascened. The
black steel Of knorassan, very in the
market, reputed to cut off the neck of anvil
AN Eastern anvil. of course; the Persian and
Central Asian specimen. elegantly watered in
circular veins, some light that girl could
use them, others so heavy that height and length
of arm, with breadth of chest, were needful
gifts of nature to utilize theml-men like Rob
RoyH or "Manmud Ghuzn, whose hands hung
below their knees. The latter notable carried
awful steel mace in preference sword.
and smashed idols and idolaters with his OWL